10 Minnesota Schools Get Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award For 2019

MINNESOTA — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Thursday recognized 362 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019, including 10 schools in Minnesota. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to a news release.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Now in its 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has bestowed recognition on more than 9,000 schools. On Nov. 14 and 15, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

- Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

- Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.

Here are the 2019 Blue Ribbon Award schools in Minnesota:

• Aspen Academy: Savage, MN 55378-4557
• Hancock Public School: Hancock, MN
• Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School: Beaver Creek, MN
• (1)Lincoln Elementary School: Alexandria, MN
• (2)Lincoln Elementary School: White Bear Lake, MN
• Montevideo Middle School: Montevideo, MN
• Our Lady of Grace Catholic School: Edina, MN
• TCU Lonsdale PreK-6 Elementary School: Lonsdale, MN
• Trinity School at River Ridge: Eagan, MN
• Wayzata West Middle School: Wayzata, MN

View the award-winning schools throughout the nation here.